Famous transparent plastic bags will be replaced by reusable options. Retail sector surprised.
Os transparent plastic bagswidely used for fruit and vegetables, will disappear.
About three weeks ago, the Minister of the Environment announced that imposing a tax on this bag was not a hypothesis – the option was to replace plastic bags with reusable bags.
This new material would be more resistant and reusable; something that was still being evaluated by the Government. Options include recycled plastic and some fibers.
“The fee did not go forward. But the replacement of habits is moving forward,” commented Maria da Graça Carvalho, speaking to /Capital Verde.
The minister explained: “I didn’t want to impose a fee because there are already a lot of fees. What I said to APED [Associação Portuguesa de Empresas de Distribuição]and I am talking to others, is to do away with plastic bags and look at other types of bags”.
There was no data for this transition. But now there is: January 2027.
“We are creating the conditions to ensure that, from January 1, 2027, lightweight plastic bags will no longer be used, and they will be replaced by more sustainable alternatives, without taxing the Portuguese”, stated the Minister of the Environment.
The highlights that this date surprised the retail sector. APED – Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies warns that new, reusable bags must be paid for.
“What we explained to the minister is that we are available to talk, and we have every interest in promoting this challenge. But we need to plan in time to operationalize this. Furthermore, these bags have a cost. When the minister says they can be free, that is not on our horizons”, analyzed the general director of APED, Gonçalo Lobo Xavier.
Reusable bags are already available in some supermarkets; but they are not having mass adoption.
